Softball

SPOFFORD TO HEAD SAINTS SOFTBALL PROGRAM

Jun 11, 2012

Emmanuel College is pleased to announce the hiring of Rob Spofford as the new head coach for the Saints Softball program. Spofford comes to Emmanuel after three years as an Assistant Coach at local Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) rival Emerson College. Coach Spofford will take over the reigns of a program, which will return twelve veterans for the 2013 season.

During his three-year coaching stint at Emerson, Spofford helped the Lions to two first place finishes during the GNAC regular season with impressive back-to-back 22-2 conference campaigns in 2011 and 2012. While at Emerson, Spofford and the Lions made two trips to the GNAC Finals and held a three-year conference record of 66-8. Prior to coaching at Emerson, Spofford spent two years as the head varsity coach at Cohasset High School, where he led his squad to a South Sectional Championship and a trip to the Massachusetts Division III State Finals.

In addition to his collegiate and high school coaching experience, Spofford is the founder and director of the Bay State Thunder, a highly successful girls' junior olympic fastpitch softball program. Within the program, Spofford is the current coach and manager of the 18 and under Elite College Showcase Team, featuring some of the finest high school softball players from Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod.

Coach Spofford brings a wealth of experience to his new position with the Saints. Additionally, he spent five years as a coach within the South Shore Stealers junior Olympic program, where he worked with the 16U, 14U and 12U teams. Spofford was also a Softball Youth Coordinator, Board Member and Coach for the Cohasset Youth Baseball Softball Association from 1999-2009. He has been a member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) since 2007.

"Coach Spofford is going to be exactly the type of leader our Saints softball program needs," commented Director of Athletics Pam Roecker. "He is extremely passionate about the sport. He is a talented motivator and teacher. He has a track record of success on and off the field and most importantly, he is one of the most enthusiastic and high-energy individuals I have ever been around."

Off the field, Spofford is the founder, owner and President of The Spofford Group Insurance Brokerage. He and his wife, Susan, reside in Cohasset and have four daughters, including two in college and two in high school.

With the team undergoing a rebuilding year in 2012, Spofford is excited about taking over the helm of the emerging Emmanuel program. He will look to build upon the team's veteran experience with the hopes of taking the program to the next level. "I am thrilled and excited to be appointed the next Head Coach of the Saints. I look forward to working with the solid foundation of returning players and terrific incoming recruits. With my background and successful experience within the GNAC I am confident that we will be able to quickly return the Saints program to a highly competitive level on a consistent basis."

Roecker also feels that Spofford is a great fit at Emmanuel and he is expected to thrive within the Saints athletic program. "I expect Coach Spofford to make an immediate impact on our program and I know our veteran and incoming student-athletes are going to enjoy and benefit from the experience of playing for him. He is a great addition to our Saints Athletic Staff."

Spofford and the Saints will play a full NCAA schedule in 2013, maxing out with 40 regular season games, including 24 GNAC contests, 10 games over spring training and 6 non-conference rivalries.